Bobbie Ann Provencio

Bobbie Ann (Johnston) Provencio, born November 24, 1933, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on January 13, 2026, at 8:36 am. The light refractions/rainbows from the crystals in the window were touching her face. With her last breath, as the Sun light changed, the rainbows disappeared. John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” It was amazing! She was certainly the presence of enduring love to each of us, as well as the testimony of a humble love for Jesus Christ embodied in the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.

Our mother was born in Boulder, Colorado and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mom had a boldness even in her young life. At 14, she is credited to be the 1st girl to buy and ride her own Harley Davidson Motorcycle in Las Cruces. She began her work life as an usher at the State Theater, then later as a carhop at the Shamrock Drive Inn, which is how she paid for her Harley. At 16, while working in the Deli next to St. Albert the Great Newman Center at the corner of Solano and University, she met the love of her life, Joe H. Provencio. They were married on June 2, 1950, at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church. Their union set up deep roots to begin growing a large family in Las Cruces, NM. They were married for 68 years.

Mom was a multi-dimensional woman who followed her dreams. Being of Irish/Scottish ancestry, she loved her cultural roots. Along with this she embraced and became an integral member of the Mexican American family that she married into. She greatly enjoyed Irish music equally to Mariachi Music and loved Celtic Dance as well as Ballet Folklorico. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day as well as traditional Mexican customs and celebrations. She was always happy to make enchiladas, tacos, caldo and traditional food for the family. Our dad always sang “My Wild Irish Rose” to her on every occasion.

Raising one son and seven daughters, mom’s compassion and unending emotional support came with significant encouragement to each of us to seek our chosen aspirations. Parallel to caring for us, mom was active in church involvement, in community leadership and with the local arts’ community. Through a local art fair, as well as a juried art show with the City of Las Cruces Fine Arts Museum Board Foundation, her Rio Grande Artes along with other community minded people raised money for St. Lukes Clinic inside the Las Cruces Community of Hope.

Beginning in late 1950’s, she volunteered with dad, with all of us kids, and with other volunteers of the Franciscan community to assist in the annual fundraisers for Holy Cross Retreat Center. As a volunteer and along with members of the Serra Club, and the Third Order of St. Francis, she organized the fund-raising events. She was professed as a lay member of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi and remained devoted to the ideals of the Order.

Her interest in nursing in her mid-forties led her to New Mexico State University School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she worked ten years of night shift at Memorial Medical Center Critical Care Unit. Mom liked to say that she could, “spend time with your dad, put kids to bed, go to work, be home when kids wake up, get everybody breakfast, and get kids to school” before she slept. Prior to nursing, secretary at Holy Cross Retreat had been her job and is where she returned after nursing. Her free spirit and adventuristic approach to life wanted more time to expand her horizons into many other things she cared about. Upon her return, in her capacity as Office Manager, mom was able to be involved in several other community and religious functions.

Mom was an Altar Society member at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Parish for several years and volunteered regularly for Parish fundraisers. Assisting with the annual fundraiser for the Parish was important to her and the family, as that was where we attended weekly church services, had our First communions and Confirmations. Mom, along with full support from dad, made sure we each had a strong spiritual foundation to grow with.

In 1961, members of the Serra Club and of the Third Order of St. Francis communities from Holy Cross Retreat Center were brought together to learn traditional Spanish Christmas music common to the “Posadas.” Together, the above groups and many of their children became the Charter members of the Los Pastores del Valle de Mesilla, with the purpose of producing an annual traditional Christmas Play. We remained working members in differing capacities of Los Pastores with our mother (and father) for more than 50 years. Mom attended her last Los Pastores performance in December 2025, which gave her a tremendous amount of joy. Along her path of involvement with the Holy Cross Retreat Center, she helped initiate the Franciscan Festival of the Arts which continues to this day.

Mom’s involvement with community organizations include the following: March of Dimes, Civil Defense Center Preparations, co-organizing the first Renaissance Craft Fair held at Holy Cross Retreat Center before it was moved to Young Park, Rio Grande Artes School where she contracted area known artists to teach classes in painting and sculpting, Elderhostel, Border Book Festival, Mariachi Conference, and she served on the Board of the J. Paul Taylor Academy.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Joe H. Provencio, her grandson Jamie Emanuel, her father Arthur Johnston Sr., mother Dorothy Barlow, and her Brothers Arthur and Sydney Johnston, and son-in-law Kevin Boberg. She is survived by her children Paula (Victor Polyak) Joe (Roberta Sosa-Provencio), Patti, Raqui (Kieth Emanuel), Teresa Boberg, Rita (Glen Wooten) Lynie (Danny Aguilar) and Michelle (Mark Johnson). She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends she called her family.

The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to our youngest sister Michelle and her life partner Mark who cared for our mother, lived with her and attended to all her needs and wants for the last eight years of her life.

Services are entrusted to Getz Funeral Home. Rosary service will be Friday, Feb. 20th, visitation to begin at 5:00 pm and Rosary at 6:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Mesilla Park at 1:00 pm on Saturday Feb. 21st. Inurnment of cremains will be placed with her husband’s cremains at a later date at St. Albert the Great Newman Center next to where they met.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Cross Retreat Center or to the Mesilla Valley Hospice.